6/25/2011 - Race Recap by Carey Fox

By CAREY FOX
Times Sports Editor
PUTNAMVILLE, Ind. — Lincoln Park Speedway opened up an exciting
three-races in one week stretch of action with another superb night
of racing on Saturday as Brett Burdette overtook Braylon Fitzpatrick
for a thrilling sprint car victory. Kenny Carmichael Sr. held off
Clint DeMoss for the modified victory and Doug McCullough made it
three-in-a-row in the UMP Super Stock division. Ben Williams scored
his second bomber feature victory of the year at LPS.

Thirty sprint cars were on hand and the first heat race of the night
showed the fans that the chase for the checkers was going to be hot
and heavy.

Fitzpatrick was bullet fast out of the trailer on Saturday and his
last-to-first high-wire act in the opening heat served notice. His
slider with two laps to go got him past Thomas Meseraull for the
victory that set him up on the pole for the feature. Kyle Robbins
crossed the line first in the second heat with Burdette winning the
third heat.

Once the feature went green it didn’t look like anyone had anything
for Fitzpatrick, who picked up right where he left off in his heat,
rocketing out to a commanding lead over Meseraull, Burdette, Seth
Parker and Shawn Krockenberger.

Burdette, like Fitzpatrick, also owns a feature win at LPS this
season and he was able to chase him down despite making contact with
Meseraull in taking over second-place. Burdette scooted free of the
collision, that left Meseraull with a broken left front.

Burdette stalked Fitzpatrick into lapped traffic where things got
especially interesting. With both competitors battling for the lead,
Burdette threw a turn three slider on Fitzpatrick that stuck and
gave him the point. From there, Burdette worked through a group of
three lapped cars masterfully. Fitzpatrick was briefly held up and
Burdette opened up a small lead that he wouldn’t relinquish.

Burdette held off Fitzpatrick to claim his fourth win of the season
in the Burdette Builders, Ham Signs, Watson Gravel, Hoosier Tire No.
17b, powered by a Claxton Engine. Parker came home third ahead of
Krockenberger and CJ Leary.

In the UMP Modified division, 22 cars were on hand trying to
dethrone Brian Hayden, winner of five features this season. Josh
Boller picked up the first heat race win and Hayden scored the
second to start on the outside of row one for the feature.

Once the feature went green, Boller and Carmichael Sr. were
side-by-side in a tight, battle for the lead as Hayden and Clint
DeMoss tailed them both. Randy Shuman was in the mix early before
slowing a handful of laps into the main event.

Carmichael was able to edge in front of Boller several laps in as
the Terre Haute native worked the bottom to perfection. DeMoss,
fourth in the nation in UMP points last season, had designs on
scoring the win himself as he locked onto the runner-up spot over
the second half of the race after getting past Boller.

As the laps ticked down, Carmichael held fast on to a three-car
length lead over DeMoss and Hayden slipped into third after duking
it out with Boller to the finish. CJ Bryan advanced to take fifth at
the checkers behind Boller and Hayden.

In the super stock division, McCullough has been on fire of late and
that held true on Saturday as he and Mike Staggs put on a spirited
door-to-door race for the lead throughout the feature before
McCullough slipped ahead to score the victory.

Staggs and McCullough battled for the lead over the entire length of
the feature as Kenny Carmichael Jr. and Cullen Goodman fought for
third along with Brett Smedley and Slick Griffin.

Just past the halfway mark, McCullough was able to build a small gap
that he wouldn’t relinquish, working his familiar bottom line to the
checkered flag ahead of Staggs, Goodman, Smedley and Griffin.

McCullough’s win propels him to the top of the season points
standings ahead of Carmichael Sr. by a scant, nine points.

In the bomber feature, Bob Farris and Jordan Almanza made up the
front row as third-place starter, Kevin Kemp and Josh Fagg made
contact on lap one. On the re-start, Almanza and Corey Gregory set
the pace up front for several laps as Williams held down third ahead
of Blake Cross and Farris.

Gregory was seeking the second win of his young career, but both he
and Almanza spun in sync coming into turn two after a re-start
leaving Williams and Cross to battle for the lead.

Cross’ chase for the win was derailed late as his bumper broke free
to bring out a caution and send him to the tail. From there,
Williams held down the win despite a determined effort from David
Bumgardner, who moved up from 10th position at the start. Williams
crossed the line with Bumgardner in tow followed by Farris, Tom
Courtney and JR Watkins.

The racing action returns on Tuesday night for a special show
featuring the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals for late models that pays
$6,000 to the winner. Along with the late models will be the UMP
Modifieds battling for a $1,000 payday as part of the modified
national tour. The bombers will also take to the track.

General admission is $20 with kids 10-and-under admitted free. Pit
gates open at 4 p.m. with the main gates opening at 4:30 p.m.
Hotlaps are slated for 6 p.m.